The Armada has a 5.6 L, 317 hp (236 kW), 385 lb·ft (522 N·m) torque VK56DEV8engine, a 5-speed automatic transmission, and a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Originally known as the Pathfinder Armada, the Armada was designed (in 2001 by Diane Allen) for the North American market and introduced in 2003 for the 2004 model year. The switch to the Armada name occurred in 2004, where it received new badges. A facelift was designed through 2005, being introduced in early 2007 for the 2008 model year.

The rear door handles are installed on the "C" pillar as a Nissan design tradition started with the 1986 Nissan Pathfinder. When the four-door Pathfinder was introduced, Nissan chose to conceal the door handles as a part of the "C" pillar trim to visually make it appear like a two-door truck with a camper shell, with conventional door handles on the front doors.

The latest Nissan Armada Platinum edition features a 9.3GB hard drive for storing music, and a CF (Compact Flash) memory card reader. The Platinum edition also features a power liftgate, and 3rd row seats that fold electronically.

There are some Armadas that are capable of using E85. It was the only Japanese vehicle sold in the U.S. other than the Nissan Titan that can use E85 until the introduction of the E85 capable Toyota UR engine powered Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia in 2008. The 2009 Armada has been updated with more standard features and options.

In 2010, new changes were introduced for the 2011 model year Armada, with two trim levels, SE and Off-Road, dropped from the lineup. The base trim is now known as SV, the middle trim is now SL, and the range topping trim is still Platinum. Prices range from $37,910 for the 2WD SV to $52,890 for the 4WD Platinum. In addition, while the Armada continues to be produced in the United States, it no longer shares the same platform as the Infiniti QX56, which is now produced in Japan.

The 2013 model year changes include Bluetooth and satellite radio standard on all models. The Platinum model trim will offer a new Platinum reserve package. A new navigation system that has a larger hard disk drive (40 GB), is NavWeather capable, has Zagat Survey, has the ability to stream audio from Bluetooth and a USB port. The Nissan DVD Entertainment System now uses screens mounted in the back of the front head restraints replacing the previous single-screen system.

A minor update was issued in 2014 for the 2015 model year, resulting in new interior door panels and other minor changes.

The Nissan Armada (WA60) was sold in the United States (including all US territories), Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East in LHD only.

On August 28, 2013, Nissan announced that the next generation Armada would be based on the next-generation Titan and remain a body-on-frame full-size SUV.[1] By 2015, Nissan announced that the 2015 models would be continued to be sold into the 2016 calendar year.[2]

On February 10, 2016, Nissan unveiled the second generation Armada at the Chicago Auto Show, and went on sale in August 2016 as a 2017 model. This version is based on the Nissan Patrol and Infiniti QX80, and is assembled in Japan, except for the Endurance V8 engine, which is assembled in Decherd, Tennessee. The Armada grew in length and width, but the wheelbase and height were moderately reduced. In addition to the Endurance V8, a seven-speed transmission was introduced to improve fuel economy, acceleration and torque, along with an increase in horsepower from 317 to 390 hp at 5,200 rpm. The exterior moderately differs from the updated Patrol, that was introduced in early 2014. As with the previous generation, the Armada continued to offer 2WD and 4WD and available in SV, SL, and Platinum trims.[3][4]

The move is part of Nissan's plan to have the Armada and Patrol share the same global platform instead of sharing the platform with the American-built Titan, due to Nissan investing in expansion of its truck production in Mississippi. [5]